Within a context of healthcare restructuring and a shift toward individualized continuing competency in Canada, this inductive, narrative inquiry explored positive learning experiences of first‐line acute care nurses. The written stories of eight self‐selected participants were collected and unstructured follow‐up interviews were conducted. The stories and interview transcripts were examined using categorical‐content and holistic‐form analysis, and analyzed in light of literature relating to adult education and professional development in nursing. Emergent themes included life‐changing learning and learning through one's own, and (...) other's, experiences. The findings highlight the need to re‐frame professional development for nurses in Canada, specifically by valuing and utilizing shared workplace experiences. (shrink)